Diagnostic agent, radiopharmaceutical imaging (Injection)

Introduction:

Makes parts of your body show up better during an imaging test, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. A diagnostic agent can be used for making images of many different body parts, including your kidneys, head, lungs, breast, gallbladder, heart, or blood vessels.

Brand Name(s):

MPI DMSA, Hepatolite, MPI DTPA, An-DTPA, MPI Pyrophosphate, Cis-Pyro, Phosphotec, Technescan PYP, Ultratag Rbc, Macrotec, Pulmolite, MPI MAA, MPI MDP, CIS-MDP, Cardiolite

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

Make sure your doctor and the person who gives you this medicine know if you have had an allergic reaction to any diagnostic agent. Some names of diagnostic agents are gallium citrate, technetium, thallous chloride, indium, Cardiolite®, Choletec®, Hepatolite®, Miraluma®, NeoTect®, Neurolite®, or Pulmolite®.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you when it should be given. This medicine can be given different ways, depending on what part of your body the doctor needs to see. This medicine may be given through a needle or catheter (plastic tube) placed in one of your veins.
  • A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
  • You will be given this medicine before the test. Some tests can be done right away. For other tests, you might have to wait because the diagnostic agent needs time to get to the correct parts of your body. Your caregiver should tell you how much time there needs to be between giving you the medicine and doing the test.
  • Ask your caregiver if you should or should not eat or drink before the test.
  • You might be given other medicines along with the diagnostic agent. Tell your doctor if you cannot use a narcotic medicine.
  • Make sure your caregiver knows if you are having any other tests. You might need to wait if you are having another medicine for another test.
  • Ask your caregiver if you should drink extra fluids for the next 4 to 6 hours after the test, so you will pass more urine. This will prevent the exposure of your bladder from the risks of radiation.
  • Sometimes the radioactive part of this medicine will leave your body in your urine. If this is true for the medicine you are using, your caregiver should give you special instructions. Carefully follow all instructions from your doctor. You might have to flush the toilet twice after you go to the bathroom. Use a tissue to wipe up blood or urine spills, then flush the tissue down the toilet. Wash your hands with soap and water after you use the toilet or clean up urine and blood spills. If blood, urine or stools soil the clothing, the clothing should be washed separately.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have used meperidine (Demerol®) or morphine (OxyContin®, Roxanol®) recently.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant. A woman who is capable of becoming pregnant might need to have this test done during the first 10 days after her menstrual period starts.
  • If you are breast feeding an infant, you may need to stop breast feeding for a short time after receiving this medicine. Talk to your doctor about the length of time you need to formula feed your baby.
  • Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to iodine or benzyl alcohol. Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, or hypocalcemia (low calcium levels). Tell your doctor if you have a kind of tumor called an insulinoma. Make sure your doctor knows if you have problems with your pancreas or gallbladder, or if you have pulmonary hypertension (high pressure in your lungs).
  • While using this medicine, you may be exposed to radiation. Talk to your doctor about the risks and about precautions you need to take.
  • If you are having a test done on your heart, tell your caregiver right away if you have any chest pain, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness, uneven heartbeat, or lightheadedness during the test.
  • Gallium will stay in your body for a longer time than other diagnostic agents. Ask your caregiver for special follow-up instructions if you will be receiving gallium.
  • The specific test you are having might have its own side effects or risks. Talk with you health caregiver about the test and what you should expect during and after the test.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Chest pain, uneven heartbeat.
  • Chills, fever, severe nausea and vomiting.
  • Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat.
  • Itching or redness where the needle is placed.
  • Lightheadedness or fainting.
  • Skin rash, severe itching or redness.
  • Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Change in your sense of taste.
  • Headache.
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